‘Host Mom’ recommends welcoming Sanford Mainers players into homes

Thursday

May 16, 2013 at 3:15 AM

SANFORD — As the Sanford Mainers baseball organization is currently seeking host families for players this summer, one former “host mom” is sharing her experiences in the hopes that others will follow in her footsteps.

Pat Adams opened up her New Hampshire Street home to the Mainers’ baseball players as a “host mom” for ten summers. She has many great memories of “my boys.”

Each player was different, Adams said, and she has nothing bad to say about any of the nearly twenty ones whom she hosted for the two months they each played New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) summer baseball here at Goodall Park here in Sanford.

Probably her best-known player is Kevin Slowey, who now is a pitcher for the Florida Marlins. Slowey stays in touch with “Mom” and recently emailed Adams a photo of him and his wife, who is a first-grade teacher. Slowey likes the warm Florida weather better than the cooler temperatures in Minnesota, where he played for the Twins.

Adams’ favorite college for players is Canisius, which provided her three sets of Mainers. She felt her ball players had received a good education at that Catholic school, which required them to lead their lives in positive ways. Adams pointed out that catcher Kevin Reimer even volunteered at Waban during his time in Sanford.

Four of Adams’ players were chosen in major league drafts. Besides Slowey, Mike Vass, Bob Stumpo and Doug Elliot also were drafted. For this reason, the players all refer to Adams’ place as “the lucky house.” And they liked her food, too — you may be surprised to learn that these strapping young men avoided junk food, favoring healthier options.

Many from the Mainers’ team would visit at Adams’ house, as the boys would sometimes bring other players for a visit. She called them “hitchhikers,” but was pleased that her boys would want to bring friends to her house.

Adams said it would take a day or two to train the boys to her house rules, but she never had any problems. She said she has been so pleased to see the warm reception given to the Mainers by the citizens in the Sanford area.

Adams’ daughter, Cindy, and her husband, Norman Perron, have continued the hosting tradition, with their player E.J. Ashworth, of Fairfield University, coming back in 2013 for his second summer.

Adams recommends hosting a Sanford Mainer at your home for the upcoming season as a great experience. If you would like details, simply call the Mainers office at 324-0010 and someone will fill you in on the hosting process.

On Monday, Geoff Titherington, of the Mainers’ board of directors, said Adams has made a suggestion as to how the players can get to know their fans this summer — she recommends that the players who are not in that night’s lineup could help out in the stands or simply be available to talk with the fans who are watching the game.

“Great idea, Pat, and thanks for all you have done to help make the Mainers a part of this community,” Titherington said.